“This is the way the world ends; this is the way the world ends.”
The final line in August: Osage County, taken from a poem by T S Eliot, is an apt conclusion to this damning portrayal of American culture and history. Considered one of the great 21st Century American plays, August: Osage County bares many warts afflicting modern family life. Depression, alcohol, drug and sexual abuse, suicide, incest and racism are just a few of the topics covered in Tracy Letts play. When you consider that these are all viewed through the eyes of a young native American woman on the traditional lands of her Osage descendants, the feeling of generational suffering, loss and needless wastage is magnified.
The story takes place in the family home of Beverly and Violet Weston over several weeks during August, in Oklahoma’s Osage County. Beverly (John Howard), an alcoholic and once popular poet, hires a live-in carer/housekeeper Cheyenne woman, Johanna (Bee Cruse), to assist his wife. Violet (Pamela Rabe) suffers mouth cancer and is addicted to painkillers. When Beverly suddenly disappears, Violet gathers her three daughters and other family members for support. Her eldest daughter Barbara (Tasmin Carroll) has a troubled marriage to Bill (Bert LaBonte) and a rebellious teenage daughter, Jean (Esther Williams).
Ivy (Amy Mathews), the middle daughter, is constantly belittled by her mother with comments such as “You’re about as sexy as a wet cardboard box”. Ivy is in a secret romance with her cousin Little Charles (Will O’Mahony). The youngest daughter Karen (Anna Samson) has come up from Florida with fiancé Steve (Rohan Nicol). Karen is besotted by Steve’s supposed business success and cannot see his nasty, sleazy side. Also at the family home is Violet’s sister, Mattie Fae (Helen Thomson) and her husband Charlie (Greg Stone). Mattie Fae harbours a long-held secret of who really fathered Little Charles, now dangerously involved with Ivy.
With the death of Beverly now confirmed, attempts to reconcile family differences fail, as arguments, accusations and painful truths are revealed. A past love resurfaces when Sheriff Deon (Johnny Nasser) arrives.
August: Osage County has been masterfully crafted and written by Tracy Letts. The themes are confronting but honest. The dialogue is blunt and emotional. The characters are real but sad. The play succeeds in highlighting the flaws and strengths of the family unit, showing that the things that unify are greater than those that divide. Throughout the drama, a steady constant existed in the character of Johnna Monevata, the native American housekeeper. Her silent wisdom and good nature were a much-needed contrast to the murky lives of the family of her all-white American employers.
The dramatic elements are matched equally by the humour. Perfectly performed by a faultless cast under the direction of Eamon Flack, the 180-minute run time was effortless to enjoy.
August: Osage County is a play you will not forget. Intelligent, witty, dramatic, topical and emotional. This Belvoir Street production shows off this literary masterpiece with exceptional professionalism and class!
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts plays Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, Sydney until 15 December 2024. Bookings: https://belvoir.com.au
Paul Kiely
For more of Paul Kiely’s writings on theatre, check out Absolute Theatre
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- At What Cost? (Queensland Theatre) – theatre review
- Life of Galileo (Belvoir) – theatre review
- Stop Girl (Belvoir Street Theatre) – theatre review
Paul Kiely reviews shows in Sydney for www.absolutetheatre.com.au. He joined the team in 2018.